Two face court on Ecstasy charges

JAKARTA (JP): Two women were tried in separate sessions at West Jakarta District Court yesterday for taking Ecstasy at a discotheque.

Prosecutor Rusmini said the defendants, identified as Yulia Suryani Dewi, 28, and Sari Benah, 40, were arrested on Aug. 23 during a police raid at Furama Discotheque on Jl. Hayam Wuruk.

She said Yulia, a private employee, and Sari, a housewife, underwent urine tests -- certified by forensic expert Abdul Mun'im Idries -- at Jakarta Police Headquarters. The tests proved they had consumed the drug, she said.

Yulia told the court that she took half a pill, and later gave the remaining half to Sari, but it did not make her "high".

During the trials, the two appeared to show no remorse for their actions. For example, the judge had to remind Sari, who kept smiling during the proceedings, to pay more attention to the trial.

Presiding judge Khaidir Anwar adjourned the case until Thursday to hear the prosecutor's submission on sentencing.

On Nov. 7, Central Jakarta District Court sentenced 23 people, including 13 women, to serve an average term of two months and 20 days in prisons after they were found guilty of taking Ecstasy.

The offenders were also arrested on Aug. 23 during a police raid at Marimba Discotheque in Hotel Sentral, on Jl. Pramuka. (jun)